NZC looks to save Bond~~s International career

Christchurch: After an official announcement about New Zealand's premier fast bowler Shane Bond joining Indian Cricket League (ICL), New Zealand Cricket (NZC) will make one last attempt before the team looses him, to rebel league.

Ending the rumours sorrounding Bond's contract with ICL, the executive vice-president of the Essel Group, Ashish Kaul, confirmed saying ''Shane Bond has signed up. It's a three-year contract that he has with the Indian Cricket League.''

Meanwhile, New Zealand Cricket's chief executive Justin Vaughan will meet Bond on Tuesday to make one last attempt to rescue Bond's international career.

NZC has already told its selectors that players who have been roped in by ICL should not be considered for national duty.

Therefore, The deal would likely mean the end of Bond's Test and ODI career.

The board would prefer Bond to sign with the BCCI backed Indian Premier League (IPL), but their offer is reportedly to be US 250,000 dollars a season in comparison to ICL's deal which is US 800,000 dollars a season, regardless of whether he is fit to play.

However, the fast bowler refrained himself from saying anything about the contract with ICL before everything gets final. He was quoted as saying by Herald, ''There's a few agreements in place that mean I can't really talk at the moment. ''I'd rather work through those before saying too much.'' The inaugural edition of the ICL included retired players from New Zealand like Nathan Astle, Chris Cairns, Craig McMillan and ChrisHarris. While New Zealand lost two current players as well to the league - Daryll Tuffey and Hamish Marshall.

Since ICL organisers have already announced their plans for four new tournaments next season and would also be increasing the number ofteams from six to eight NZC fears that the number could increase.

ICL-contracted players are allowed to play domestic cricket in New Zealand but are not eligible for selection for national or A teams.

New Zealand Cricket Players Association manager Heath Mills said that the players' rights should be respected. ''We just need to make sure we don't do anything that breaches the rights of the individual contractor in any way, shape or form, and effectively bring on a situation that results in NZC being in dispute with its players.''

''It's not necessary. We need to continue working hard to find a solution that is good for both parties. It's not staring us in the face right now, I'm the first to admit. But we're not going to give up on finding a solution that's good for both NZC and for the players,'' he added.